New records of cactaceae from Gran Canaria (Canary islands, Spain)

Abstract

Recent field work in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), mostly in March and April 2017, yielded first records of 10 species of Cactaceae, all originally introduced as ornamentals. Cylindropuntia bigelovii, C. imbricata, C. prolifera, Disocactus speciosus, Opuntia lindheimeri and O. microdasys are locally naturalized or likely to become so, whereas Ferocactus herrerae, Harrisia tetracantha, Lophocereus schottii and Trichocereus spachianus are considered casuals. All these species are illustrated, georeferenced localities provided and other useful information, especially with regard to their identification and invasion status (in Gran Canaria as well as elsewhere in the world) are also presented. The presence of two further species, Opuntia monacantha and O. robusta, both often considered doubtful in the Canary Islands, is confirmed from Gran Canaria. New data are also provided for Opuntia leucotricha and O. pilifera, two species that were recently recorded for the first time for Gran Canaria, that seem to have increased.